David Webb, prosecuting, had earlier told the jury: “There was some pushing and lunging towards the police and kicking and punching. Things were being thrown at police, bricks and stones, things of that nature.”

Reinforcements were drafted in, with officers wearing full protective gear, and the disorder lasted a number of hours, the court heard.

Mr Bennett said at one stage the demonstrators used a mobile toilet as a weapon against police before the situation calmed.

“A number of police officers were injured during the course of the incident, a number of demonstrators were injured and a great deal of property was damaged,” he said.